Released on bail in all cases, but freedom came through death
Patuakhali AL (banned) member Mizanur Rahman Monir in the ICU, with his hands handcuffed. Photo collage: Agamir Somoy.
Admitted to the ICU, with handcuffs on. After such photos spread on Facebook, bail was finally granted. He was released not only from all cases but also from the world. He is Md. Mizanur Rahman Khan Monir (48), a member of the Patuakhali District Awami League and former Vice Chairman of the Sadar Upazila Parishad.
He had been admitted to the ICU of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) for a long time. Doctors declared him dead around 3:30 PM yesterday (Wednesday). He had been imprisoned after being arrested in multiple cases. Although he got bail in those cases, he was "shown as arrested" (produced on a production warrant) in another case. Allegations from his family state that after the photo of him handcuffed in the ICU sparked criticism on Facebook, Monir was finally granted bail in the last case. He received that release, however, through death.
Monir's home is in Bahalgachhia village under Patuakhali Sadar. He was the former General Secretary of the Sadar Upazila Jubo League, former Organizing Secretary of the District Jubo League, and a former member of the now-banned District Chhatra League. Additionally, he had long served as the Vice President of the Bangladesh Rural Development and Cooperative Federation.
Speaking with family, police, and locals, it has been learned that Monir went into hiding after the fall of the Awami League government in August 2024. He was arrested by DB Police on the evening of September 14 the following year (2025) at Mintu Road in the capital. He faced two cases in Dhaka and five in Patuakhali Sadar regarding the July uprising. He was imprisoned in Dhaka and Patuakhali jails for about 10 months in these cases. Later, although he got bail in all the cases, he was kept in jail by being shown as arrested (produced on a warrant) in yet another case in Patuakhali.
Monir's wife, Mosammat Salma Jahan, was Chairman of Kalikapur Union Parishad under Patuakhali Sadar and the Organizing Secretary of the District Krishak League. She too had been imprisoned for many days after being arrested alongside her husband.
Salma said that on June 9, Monir suffered a stroke while at Dhaka Central Jail. He was then sent to Dhaka Medical College. As his condition deteriorated, he was admitted to the ICU on June 14. He was put on life support two days later. After being in the ICU for nearly two months, he passed away yesterday afternoon.
According to Salma, Monir Khan had gotten bail in seven cases quite some time ago. Bail in the final case was granted on July 30. At that time, he was already admitted to the ICU.
"Bail was granted after a photo of him with handcuffs went viral. In the end, even though the handcuffs were removed, he could not be brought back alive," said the grieving spouse.
The family said that today (Thursday), after the Janaza (funeral prayer) at the Patuakhali Sadar Upazila ground, remains of Mizanur Rahman Monir will be buried in the family graveyard.
Bangladesh's Constitution contains directives that even accused individuals or convicted prisoners cannot be subjected to inhumane treatment.
According to Article 35 of the Constitution, there is a directive that no accused person or even convicted prisoner shall be subjected to cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment. Section 330 of the Police Regulations also states that handcuffing prisoners or using ropes is unnecessary and it is degrading in most cases.
Despite this, the police have faced criticism at various times for producing accused individuals in handcuffs, with ropes tied around their waists, or even with leg-irons or fetters.
